The 6 Lessons of Alcoholism Treatment or Drug Rehab. 6 Lessons You Need to Learn to Stay Clean and Sober

Updated on September 6, 2009

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You know you need some help but you’re not sure where to
turn, and you wonder what inpatient or outpatient therapy has to offer you
anyway?

What are you supposed to come away with after a few weeks in
treatment that is going to allow you to change your life so fundamentally?

Well, the answer to that question is a difficult one, in
part because of the individualized nature of the disease. No two alcoholics or
drug addicts manifest with the same symptoms or needs, and as such no two
alcoholics or drug addicts require the same outcomes from a period of
treatment.

That being said, and keeping in mind that a quality treatment
program must be tailor matched to the needs of each individual patient – here are
some of the more common skill set areas that are taught in addiction therapy
(both inpatient and outpatient)

6 Things You Need to Learn While in Treatment to Stay Clean
and Sober

1. You need to change the way you think. You need to learn
how to stop thinking that, "you need a drink" in certain situations,
or that life can't be fun without a drink or a few pills.

2. You need to learn how to walk tall without the use of
your "crutch". You need to learn that the answer to your problems
never comes in a bottle, and that alcohol or drugs isn’t the answer to anger, anxiety,
depression, happiness etc.

If you had a bad day, that's no reason to reach for a drink –
and likewise, if you had a great day, you don't need a celebratory drink either!

3. You need to understand cravings. Understand what they
feel like, what causes them and how to minimize their occurrence. You also need
to have a solid plan in place to deal with the cravings that will inevitably
occur. Cravings lead to slips and slips lead to full blown relapses. If you
can't manage your cravings, you can't beat this thing.

4. You need to learn how to live without those things,
places and people that might trigger you to relapse.

5. You have to learn to take care of yourself too. Hunger,
tiredness and stress are all dangerous to sobriety, and so you need to learn
how to take great care of your physical and mental health and well being (Diet,
exercise, sleep, medical care, etc.).

You have to learn to ask for help when you need it, and
accept it when others offer it.

6. You have to learn that you can't do it all on your own. It
can be tough to reach out for help, but your recovery demands a support network…but
it only works if you actually lean on that support network during difficult
periods!

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